Lawmakers consider easing milk restrictions for schools
2 min read
[ad_1]
Some New York condition farmers are advocating to start out serving complete milk in educational facilities again for the initially time given that the Obama administration constrained universities to serving skim and reduced-excess fat possibilities. Legislation staying regarded as by the US Congress, the “Whole Milk for Balanced Kids Act,” also would simplicity milk limits for colleges.
[ad_2]
Supply backlink Lawmakers in the United States are currently considering lifting restrictions on the availability of milk for schools nationwide. Currently, the National School Lunch Program requires that schools provide only reduced-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) milk. Low-fat plain, chocolate, and strawberry milks are not allowed under the restrictions.
A bipartisan effort by a number of congressmen is underway to amend the regulations to allow for two additional varieties of low-fat plain milks: 2% and 1% white milks. Proponents of the change argue that the possibility of offering additional varieties of low-fat plain milks would increase the likelihood of children choosing to drink milk in schools and provide a much-needed boost to the dairy industry.
Research conducted by the National Dairy Council has shown that over 11 million children aged four to eighteen in the United States currently drink their recommended three servings of dairy each day, but that over 6 million of those children consume less than two dairy servings per day. The changes advocated by lawmakers would make it easier for schools to provide more varieties of low-fat milks and could potentially reduce the number of children not meeting their daily dairy intake needs.
Despite potential benefits, the proposed changes face opposition. In particular, several nutritionists are wary of introducing additional milks because of fears that they could carry more sugar compared to lower-fat milks. These concerns are echoed by the American Heart Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who have stated that they support the current restrictions and argue that introducing additional milks could lead to higher sugar intake and higher calorie intakes in children.
Regardless of the outcome of this debate, it is clear that the issue of low-fat milk availability in schools is an important one. Lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, as well as health and nutrition experts, must come together to ensure that the final decision reflects both positive nutrition goals and the need to provide children with a full range of dairy options.
